Diaghilev is a result of a collaboration between London's Victoria and Albert Museum and the best British perfumer Roja Dove. This scent was dedicated to the exhibition Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes 1909–1929. Originally released in limited edition of 1000 bottles, nowadays Diaghilev is being produced with a price tag of 750 pounds per flacon.

Sergei Diaghilev loved Mitsouko Guerlain. The scent was born in 1919. By that time the Ballets Russes existed for six years and had great success. Mitsouko became a permanent companion in a touring life of a ballet impresario for ten years, up till his death in 1929. This story has inspired Roja Dove to create his Diaghilev.

Diaghilev Roja Dove is not like any other Mitsouko that I have tried. Even at it's most tense point Mitsouko remains soft and plump. Neither the sharpness of bergamot, nor the rigid base of moss revoke her melancholic nonchalance: "will eat a peach if I want and won't if I don't". The stretch in the bergamot-moss splits is effortless. Mitsouko is yin, condemned to perfection by the Nature.

Diaghilev is a man's territory. It's a youthful energy, seething vitality, a body sacrificed to art. All muscles and ligaments are strained, every fiber is obeying the laws of classical dance. Diaghilev – all in gold and brocade, in phantasmagoric light of hesperides, deposit of Guerlinade, backed by heavy velvet curtains made of roses, benzoin, and moss – is performing his dance about the sun, summer meadow, and youth that seems eternal.

Diaghilev will never become a part of my perfume routine (1000 bottles, 750 pounds)… But how wonderful would it be, when the dark curtain of November falls, enjoy it's golden dance.

I bought a bottle when the show opened at the V&A; it was definitely NOT 750 pounds then. It's lovely, old-fashioned but deep and kind of sexy. I hate the bulb atomizer though; it has already stopped working properly.

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